In Brooklyn, the saga of Boka, the bodega cat, took an unexpected twist when a stranger decided to cat-nap him from the Green Olives Deli & Grocery in Park Slope. The security footage shows a man in a white shirt, blue baseball cap, and flip-flops loitering outside the shop, eventually snatching the cat in broad daylight.
A concerned TikTok user shared the footage, suggesting that the cat-napping may have been premeditated. The video gained widespread attention, with pleas for the cat’s safe return flooding in.
Boka, the beloved feline, had become a local celebrity since being adopted by the shop’s owner, Abdulmajeed Albahri, in January. He even had his own Instagram account, where his owner shared adorable photos.
Abdulmajeed expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, local news, and social media. Despite the distressing situation, he remained hopeful, stating, “Everyone is helping look for Boka. I’m sure we will get him back.”
Fortunately, the story does have a happy ending. Boka was safely returned to his owner a week after the abduction. Surveillance footage had captured the man in a blue baseball cap, khakis, and flip-flops taking the cat on July 29. The breakthrough came when an anonymous friend of the suspected cat-napper saw a social media post about the missing cat.
This Good Samaritan gave Boka to a couple, who promptly returned him to the deli. Abdulmajeed shared the joyous news on Instagram, thanking everyone who contributed to Boka’s safe return. The deli’s owner and the community are relieved to have their beloved bodega cat back home.
